Match Preview: NRL Round 14 vs Dragons
Wests Tigers head to Wollongong on Friday night to tackle St George Illawarra Dragons in Round 14 of the Telstra Premiership.
Match: Dragons v Wests Tigers
Round 14 -
home Team
Dragons
9th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
17th Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
The Dragons have had the wood on Wests Tigers in recent seasons, winning four of the past five matches including a 24-12 victory in Round 6 earlier this year at Campbelltown.
The visitors head to the Gong off the bye round, aiming to snap an eight-game losing streak, while the Dragons are buoyed by a last start win over the Panthers.
The Dragons achieved that win over the premiers without Origin players Ben Hunt, Zac Lomax and Jaydn Su'A. All three have been named in the Dragons’ extended squad and could well back up two days after Origin II and come into the matchday 17.
Benji Marshall has made several changes to his side, a couple forced through injury and suspension.
Justin Olam returns from suspension in the centres and will partner Charlie Staines, who moves in one spot from the wing.
Wollongong local Alex Lobb will make his first starting appearance to an NRL game after making his first-grade debut against the Cowboys as 18th man.
David Klemmer's suspension sees Alex Twal move to prop while the loss of Isaiah Papali'i to an ankle injury brings Alex Seyfarth into the starting side along with Justin Matamua.
New Zealand born prop Reuben Porter will make his NRL debut off the bench at 27 years of age and become Wests Tigers Player #287.
Match: Dragons v Wests Tigers
Round 14 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Tyrell SloanFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mathew FeagaiWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Alex Lobb
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese SuliCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Charlie Staines
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Max FeagaiCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Justin Olam
-
Winger for Dragons is number 23 Zac LomaxWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Solomon Alaimalo
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kyle FlanaganFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 21 Ben HuntHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jayden Sullivan
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis MoloProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
-
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Jack De BelinProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex Twal
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Raymond Faitala-Mariner2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 22 Jaydn Su'A2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Alex Seyfarth
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Tom EisenhuthLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Justin Matamua
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 11 Luciano LeiluaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Brent Naden
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Blake LawrieInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Fonua Pole
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Ben Murdoch-MasilaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Sione Fainu
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Toby CouchmanInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Reuben Porter
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 17 Ryan CouchmanReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tallyn Da Silva
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Fast Facts:
- The Dragons have won four of their past five games against Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers have lost five from six away from home in 2024.
- Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan has scored seven tries in his last six games at WIN Stadium.
- Wests Tigers have won four of their seven games at WIN Stadium.
- The Dragons have won both matches at WIN Stadium in 2024.
Stats supplied by David Middleton
